one of downtown’s “countdown” clocks, which have been up for more than a year … this should probably be “0” and not “1” … but: “THE GAMES HAVE ARRIVED” … that’s new!

 .

Lexington’s Civic Center … the trees on the right are at Triangle Park, one of three downtown festival venues during the Games

 .

mmmm … coffee …

 .

… and breakfast, which I shared with my husband …

 .

… in exchange for some of this, which was delicious and full of nuts

 .

Saturday morning wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the farmers’ market

. 

one of the beautiful market sights this time of year

 .

getting on the local “Horse Park Express” bus … we’re finally on our way!

 .

just past the main spectator entrance for the WEG is the Alltech Experience, which (I hear) is full of displays, information, food, beer, and a beautiful garden

 .

an early look at the trade fair; when I took this photo, the first session of the Reining competition was underway in the Indoor Stadium

 .

the mechanical cutting horse in front of the CAA building is already attracting riders

 .

our CAA building: Home Sweet Home-Away-from-Home for the next two weeks!

 .

after a full day of WEG-related activites or “regular” Saturday activities, it was time to come to the Main Stadium for the long-awaited WEG opening ceremony

 .

the University of Kentucky cheerleaders (18-time national champions) played a part in the opening ceremony … here, they’re warming up; nearby, the members of Team USA were gathered, awaiting their chance to line up for the Parade of Nations

 .

the stage … which, over the course of about three hours, featured an orchestra, a choir, bluegrass musicians, Wynonna Judd, the American Spiritual Ensemble, stars of the Metropolitan Opera, Sara Lee Guthrie (daughter of Arlo), and more

 .

representatives of several Native American tribes offered a “prayer for all nations”

 .

the drill team from Culver Academy performed, and then several members (who were on foot) raised the U.S. flag while the national anthem was sung

 .

another beautiful sunset, over the stadium during a recreation of a 1940s-era “horse show,” which featured a number of champion Saddlebreds, both ridden and in harness, and a harness horse driven by Kentucky resident William Shatner

 .

at the end of the Parade of Nations, the loudest applause came for the host country … the USA … here, Karen O’Connor waves the U.S. flag, just before handing it to four-in-hand driver Tucker Johnson, who waved it for the second half of their lap around the arena